Clutch capabilities
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee Wi
Clutch capabilities
I bought a 2000 c5 coupe has a brand new factory clutch in it with maybe 3000 miles on it. How well would this clutch hold up to heads/cam/intake. I've searched on the forums I see different reviews...
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 484
Likes: 47
From: Bridgewater NJ
Not for too long honestly. I'd guess 10-20K depending on how you use the car. If I were in your situation I would probably just use it until it went out and then upgrade, unless you are looking for time slips at the track.
This is assuming you're not pulling the engine now for your installs.
This is assuming you're not pulling the engine now for your installs.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
it can technically hold into the low-mid 400's, maybe a tad more, but the more power you add the harder it becomes to shift, in my opinion mainly due to the self adjusting pressure plate... every time I would go wot I could make the 1-2 shift fine but as soon as I try for 3rd the pedal would be sunk almost to the floor and stiff and I wouldn't be able to shift to 3rd... drive normally and it was fine... at that time I had about 420rwhp... I tried everything else to solve my shifting issues and nothing worked until I swapped the clutch for an aftermarket unit
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
problems are 2 fold. 1 is how long and 2 is how well
if you go drag racing on the weekends you might get 10k miles out of one
BUT
it's going to get sticky and not perform under pressure. the lack of fluid/plate design of the OE clutch gets worse the more power you put to it
if you go drag racing on the weekends you might get 10k miles out of one
BUT
it's going to get sticky and not perform under pressure. the lack of fluid/plate design of the OE clutch gets worse the more power you put to it
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
in my experience yes... you can always try it out and if it gives you any trouble then you know what you have to do
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
yes
sadly the clutch is a bit of a weak link / safety switch in the c5. gm designed the clutch to limit drivetrain shock...which it does
but it also doesn't perform well under stress and more hp just makes it get even worse.
this is one of the few areas on the car where the c4 had something better. however, the c4 would break ujoints pretty often if you hammered on it. those halfshaft ujoints did not like being beat or wheel hopped. i'm sure GM was aware of this and didn;t want sky high warranty repairs so the clutch was designed to limit shock on the driveline
sadly the clutch is a bit of a weak link / safety switch in the c5. gm designed the clutch to limit drivetrain shock...which it does
but it also doesn't perform well under stress and more hp just makes it get even worse.
this is one of the few areas on the car where the c4 had something better. however, the c4 would break ujoints pretty often if you hammered on it. those halfshaft ujoints did not like being beat or wheel hopped. i'm sure GM was aware of this and didn;t want sky high warranty repairs so the clutch was designed to limit shock on the driveline
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
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From: OK
I'm so happy that when I crave for torque I can fire up the 427 Cubic Inch full roller... 69 SS Chevelle with a 400 turbo and 3500 stall converter. That way I don't have to trash the C5's clutch. It handles better, it has way more creature comforts, better on gas mileage, much much faster, just not as cool or quick as the Chevelle. Plus the sound of a big roller cam in a big block, with Hooker Headers and 3" side pipes is my little bit of heaven on earth.
But, a really good aftermarket clutch would be much cheaper...
But, a really good aftermarket clutch would be much cheaper...